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IN THIS CHAPTER

Seeing what philosophy as an activity is

Finding out how to do philosophy yourself

Appreciating the power of belief

Peering into Plato’s Cave

Philosophy is not a theory but an activity.

— Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951)

Philosophy at its best is an activity more than a body of knowledge. In an ancient sense, done right, it’s a healing art. It’s intellectual self-defense. It’s a form of therapy. But it’s also much more. Philosophy is map-making for the soul, cartography for the human journey. It’s an important navigational tool for life that too many modern people try to do without.

In this chapter, we see exactly what that activity is, as well as how to do it well. I show you the power that belief can have in our lives, and I bring you a distinction Plato drew so vividly that it has echoed down the centuries, helping to free people from illusion and lead them into truth.